When Mahatma raised `6K for Kerala flood relief

Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly a century ago when floods ravaged Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi had termed the misery of the people as "unimaginable" and stepped in to mobilise over Rs 6,000 to help them, records show.

If the present rain fury has claimed over 400 lives and displaced over 10 lakh people, the massive floods that crippled the state in July 1924 are believed to have claimed a large number of lives and caused widespread destruction.

Mahatma Gandhi, through a series of articles in his publications 'Young India' and 'Navajivan', had urged people of the country to generously contribute for the relief of the flood-hit 'Malabar' (Kerala).

Following his appeal, people from various walks of life including women and children had donated even their gold jewels and meagre savings to help the flood-affected people. Many had skipped a meal daily or given up milk to find money to contribute to relief fund mobilised by Gandhi, according to the journals penned by him.

The "Father of the Nation" had mentioned in one of his articles in 'Navajivan' about a girl who had stolen three paise to contribute to the relief fund. "Malabar's misery is unimaginable," Mahatma had said in the article titled "Relief Work in Malabar".

He said he had to "confess" that the response to his appeal had been "more prompt" than he expected. "It has been proved not once but many times that, by God's grace, compassion does exist in the hearts of the people."

Meanwhile, donations pouring into the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) have crossed Rs 500 crore. From school children to corporate giants, all are contributing to the relief fund to help rebuild the flood-hit state, whose loss has been estimated to be over Rs 20,000 crore.